Perhaps you have a 4x4 truck or SUV and are just itching to give the 4x4 feature a whirl to see what it can do? No matter where you live, there's likely a number of opportunities for off-roading just an hour or two away from you. But where are the best places to go off-roading? Great question, and here's a few great options to consider if you really want to test out your wheels:

Southern California

For off-roaders, Southern California is a great place to live. The desert is never more than an hour or two away and the opportunities for off-roading are massive.

In Southern California, check out the Mojave desert, specifically the Mojave National Preserve. This park has over 16 million acres of desert trails. You can also check out trails that run through canyons and famous landmarks like Fort Piute, Afton Canyon and Cedar Canyon. There's also a plethora of campgrounds for you to stop and camp, and they include features like picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, trash service and toilets. There is also a helpful visitor center with restaurant, exhibits, nature center and picnic area. In the Mojave, you'll off-road through Joshua Trees, massive rock formations and hilly desert land. You can access this area from Barstow, which is on Interstate 15 on the way from Southern California to Las Vegas.

Also in Southern California, check out Johnson Valley, which is located around the Palm Springs, Twentynine Palms area. Johnson Valley is considered the best place in Southern California for off-roading, with massive rock formations that you can drive right over, not just around. There's also a wide array of flat trails for more leisurely driving. The area also has a nice range of elevations, from over 4000 feet on Hartwell Hills to a dry lake bed called Melville Dry Lake. The area hosts interesting vegetation including wild flowers and annual grasses in the spring. Joshua Trees also abound here.

Utah

Utah is a perfect landscape for off-roading, and in this state, you won't want to miss the best off-roading area they offer, which is Moab. Accessible mainly from Moab, Utah or Grand Junction, Colorado, Moab is a famous destination for Mars like terrain and is a favorite of not just off-roaders but also by hikers and mountain bikers as well. There's a wide variety of trails and terrain available for your well maintained 4x4 or SUV. However, you can also opt to take one of the many tours available of the area to snap some pictures of the breathtakingly beautiful rock formations, peaks and valleys.

Arkansas

There is a famous off-roading area in Arkansas as well, called Superlift ORV Park. It is privately owned and they charge for admission, but its a fantastic place for families to do a little off-roading. They offer a range of camping and lodging facilities and even cabins, a bath house and RC trails. The stunning terrain takes you through forests and hills, a nice change if you are used to off-roading in the desert only.